I have read with great pleasure MikeL's blog 'Growing Old is Awesome' posted a few days ago. And then I went to look at his profile and I noticed that he was in his 71st year. He still has therefore some 15 years for having the same age as me, 84 years next month.

I remembered how I was myself 15 years ago, in 1998. I too could have written the same blog as him, with the same title. I knew to enjoy my life without worrying about the future. I rejoiced in the morning to know that I could make the most of my day. I was happy to be able to organize my time without having to worry about my health.

15 years later, I have become a 'very old' man., My will and my spirit have remained the same, but memory and legs have increasingly more difficulty to obey to my will. So I have to take this into account. My short-term memory tends to let me down. So I got used to note everything that I should remember. My notes, sorted by date and subject, have effectively replaced this aspect of my memory.

Instead, I remember much more of my distant past. Forgotten details come alive. I can still see clearly some episodes of my life and I better understand the underlying reasons for my actions. At least, I understand who I am, really. Every difficulty has its advantage !

Today, I'm happy to still have the strength to work, to meet the needs of my clients, to help them solve their problems. To be useful to others despite my age is both a joy and a duty. My work gives a sense to my life. I could not stay around doing nothing.

Staying active keeps me alive.

I wish all of you the same fate .